Washing machine



March 13, 1934. Q s 1,950,630

WASHING MACHINE Filegi July 18, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet l WITNESSES I N VENTOR:

TTORNEYS.

March 13, 1934.

c. RIES 1,950,630

WASHING MACHINE Filed July 18, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 WITNESSES l N V ENTOR:

A TTORNEYS.

Patented Mar. 13, 1934 UNITED STATES PAT.

8 Claims.

This invention relates to washing machines; and it has reference moreparticularly to washing machines of the horizontal rotary drum type suchas are used in commercial laundries.

Ordinarily, after the washing of each batch of clothes in a machine ofthe type specifically referred to, the soap water is drained oil throughan outlet provided for that purpose in the bottom of the machine casing.Fresh hot water is then introduced, and the machine run again for ashort period to rinse the washed clothes. This rinse water is likewiseafterwards drained through the same bottom outlet aforementioned beforethe clothes are finally removed from the machine. Incident to drainingof the rinse water, the insoluble scum iioat ing in the upper stratasettles into the clothes as well as on the walls of the machine casing;and before the machine is used for the next washing, several additionalcharges of hot water must ordinarily be introduced and the machine runidly for successive periods to eifect removal of the clinging scum asfar as this is possible of accomplishment. Rinsing and flushing underthese conditions is uneconomical in that it incurs excessive wastage ofthe hot water as well as power, and moreover entails periods ofprotracted idleness of the machine between successive washingoperations.

The main object of my invention is to overcome the several drawbacksabove pointed out. In other words, I aim to secure a much cleaner andmore sanitary wash than possible heretofore with greater economy in theuse of the hot rinse water. This I attain through provision inconnection with the washing machine of a novel scum drain or auxiliaryvalve means whereby, upon completion of a washing operation, the upperstrata of the soap and rinse waters containing the insoluble floatingscum, can be released previous to draining of the machine through theusual bottom outlet, the said scum being thereby prevented from settlingin the washed clothes or adhering to the sides of the machine casing, sothat subsequent separate rinsing of the machine may be dispensed with.

Other objects and attendant advantages of my invention will be manifestfrom the detailed description following in coordination with theattached drawings, wherein Fig. I is an elevation of the rear side of acommercial laundry washing machine, conveniently embodying the presentimprovements.

Fig. II shows an end view of the machine.

Fig. III is a fragmentary cross sectional view,

taken as indicated by the arrows III-III in Fig. I, and drawn to alarger scale.

Fig. IV is a fragmentary detail sectional view, taken as indicated bythe arrows IVIV in Fig. III, and featuring my improved auxiliary scumdischarging valve; and

Fig. V shows a fragmentary perspective view of the valve.

The washing machine which I have chosen for convenience of illustratingmy invention, is of 5 thehorizontal rotary drum type such as isextensively used in commercial laundries, the cylindric shell or casingof the machine being indicated at 8, and its enclosed revolvingmulticompartment drum at 7. As usual, the casing 6 is supported by abase 8, and provided, centrally of its bottom, with an outlet 9 throughwhich the wash water may be drained from the machine, the said outletbeing controllable by a suitable manually operable valve means, notillustrated.

The novel auxiliary valve means whereby I am enabled to release theinsoluble scum-carrying upper strata of the water before completedrainage of the machine through the bottom outlet 9 after each washingoperation, is comprehensively designated by the numeral 10. As shown,this valve means comprises a valve 11, which, in the present instance,is made from bar metal of T cross section, see Figs. III and V; and saidvalve is adapted to cooperate with an elongate longitudinally extendingport 12 cut into the shell or casing 6 at a level well above the bottomoutlet 9 and preferably at the rear side of the machine as illustrated.From Figs. III and IV it will be noted that the port 12 is surrounded bya frame 13 which has the form of an open oblong casting and which issecured to the casing 6 by screw bolts 14. As shown, this frame 13affords a finished seat 15 for a gasket of rubber 16 on the contiguousface of the valve 11-, the said gasket 16 being retained by a metallicbar 17 which is apertured. at suitable intervals for passage of screws18 that take into the valve 11, see Figs. III, IV and V. At the ends,the central web 19 of the valve 11 is extended, as exemplified at 20 inFig. V, for capacity to engage guide grooves 21 in brackets 22 formedintegrally with the rectangular frame 13 at opposite ends. By virtue ofthis arrangement it will be evident that the valve 11 is definitelyguided radially of the casing 6 incident to movement toward and awayfrom the discharge port 12. As here shown, the port 12 extending alongthe casing 6 is substantially coextensive with the casing in length, soas to permit free and rapid discharge of suds, scum and water, and themovable valve 11 seats externally over the port 12 against the seat 15afforded by the frame 13, and is thus urged outward away from the seatand port by the outward pressure of the water.

The means provided for actuating the auxiliary valve 11 includes ahorizontal rock shaft 23 which is journalled in bearings 24 afforded bythe brackets 22 of the valve frame 13. Secured to the shaft 23 are apair of fingers 25 which engage openings 26 in the ilange 19 of thevalve 11 with a working fit. In the intervals between the bearings 24and the fingers 25, the rock shaft 23 has secured to it,horizontallyprojecting arms 2'? to the ends of which weights 28 arehung, the latter functioning to yieldingly hold the gaslieted face ofthe valve 11 fluid tight against the seat 15 on the valve frame 13. Alsosecured to the shaft 23, at opposite ends, are upwardly, reaching arms29 which are coupled, by means of horizontal links 38, with operatinglevers 31, the latter having fulcrum support at 32 on the ends of themachine casing 6, and being provided at their tops with grasp handles33. As a consequence ofthis arrangement, the auxiliary valve 11 mayobviously be operated from eitl er end or" the machine simply by pullinthe handle 33, with attendant withdrawal of the valve 11 from the port12 against the action of the weights 28.

In the use of the machine, the casing is charged with soap water to thelevel indicated at L in Fig. Ill and the drum, filled with clothes, isrotated in the usual manner to effect wash ing. After the lapse of thetime period requisite to'proper washing, the soap water is drained fromthe machine through the bottom outlet 9 as ordinarily. The machine isten filled with fresh hot water to the level indicated at L in Fig. IIIand again set in motion for a time for the purpose or" rinsing theclothes. fter this has been accomplished, the auxiliary valve 11 isopened to permit discharge of the upper strata of the wash water withattendant disposal of all the floating insoluble scum which is therebyprevented from settling into the wash or adhering to the sides of thecasing 6. After release of the scum as just explained, the bottomdischarge outlet 9 is opened to completely drain the remaining rinsewater from the mac ine.

From the foregoing it will be seen that my invention highly advantageousin that it sures more clean and sanitary washing of clothes with use ofa minimum amount of water and power in the process, and with materialreduction in the idle periods of the machine between successivewashings.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. Scum drain means for a horizontal washing machine casing, includingan elongate closure member cooperative with a longitudinal dischargepor; in the machine casing, said port being located at a level above thebottom of said casing, and extending along the casing; and means formoving the closure member toward and away from the port.

2. Scum drain means for a horizontal washing machine casing, includingan elongate closure member cooperative with a longitudinal dischargeport in the machine casing, said port being located at a level above thebottom of said casing; weight means for normally holding the closuremember fluid tight over the port; and means for ctuating the closuremember.

3. Scum drain means for a horizontal washing machine casing, includingan elongate closure member cooperative with a longitudinal dischargeport in the machine casing, said port being located at a level above thebottom of said casing; means for definitely guiding the closure memberin its movement toward and away from the port; and means for actuatingthe closure member.

4. Scum drain means for a horizontal Washing machine casing, includingan elongate closure member cooperative with a longitudinal dischargeport in the casing, 'said port being located at a level above the bottomof said casing; means for engagi g opposite ends of the closure memberto guide it definitely incident to movement toward and away from theport; and means for actuating the closure member.

5. Scum drain means for a horizontal washing machine casing, includingan elongate closure member cooperative with a longtiudinal dischargeport in the casing, said port being located at a level above the bottomof said casing; means for definitely guiding the closure member incid ntto movement toward and away from the port; weight means to normally holdthe closure member fluid tight in closed position over the port; andmeans for actuating the closure member in opposition to the weight.

6 Scum drain means for a horizontal washmachine casing, including anelongated closure member cooperative with a longitudinal discharge portin the machine casing, said port being located at a level above thebottom of said casing, means for definitely guiding the closure in itsmovement toward and away from the port, means for actuating the closuremember.

'7. Scum drain means for a horizontal washin machine casing, includingelongated closure means cooperative with longitudinal discharge portmeans in the machine casing, said discharge port means being located ata level above the bott in of the casing and being substantially coexsive therewith in length, and means for moving said closure means towardaway from said discharge port means.

8. Scum drain means for a horizontal washing machine casing, includingelongated closure means externally seating over and movable relative tolongitudinal discharge port means in the side of the machine casing, ata level above the bottom of the casing, and means for. moving saidclosure means toward and away from said discharge port means.

CHARLES RIES.

